Upgrade from Acer XB271HUC IPS?

[Flogger23m]

Have been looking at pricing of LCD 2560x1440 monitors lately, and pricing for them has dropped quite a bit so I am considering an upgrade.

I currently have an IPS panel, a Acer Predator XB271HU Bmiprz, which I have been using for around 7 years. I assume monitor technology has improved a bit since then. This is the monitor I have:

https://www.rtings.com/monitor/reviews/acer/predator-xb271hu-bmiprz

Though I think my particular model is limited to 144Hz in an Overclock mode, though I run it at 120Hz because if I recall there is some extra blurring when using the Overclock mode for 144Hz. Clearly not an bad monitor, which is why I am wondering if it is even worth upgrading in the first place.

I am wondering if there is anything good worth upgrading to in the $200-300 range? I am not currently interested in OLEDs due to burn in problems and price. That is why I am looking at something more moderate in price. Get something affordable now, then will check back on OLED in 3-4 years.

Other features I would want:

• Adjustable stand with portrait angling.
• G-sync support, ideally G-sync ultimate but can settle for G-SYNC Compatible.
• Speakers/ability connect 3.5mm to output speakers for HDMI consoles. Mainly for when I hook up my Switch which is quite rare.
• Not curved (pointless unless ultra wide)
• 27", 2560x1440

Uses would be gaming, fast paced high frame rate online as well as single player. I will use it heavily for movies and work/programs as well. So multi use, with an emphasis on gaming.

I've come across the ASUS XG27ACS IPS which is $200 on sale currently.

I've read good things about the AOC Q27G3XMN VA which is $250 on sale. This supports HDR as well, which would probably make it a worthwhile upgrade for the few games that support it. This is not listed on Nvidia's G Sync support page, but RTings seems to imply it does support it.

Any other models to look into? Would anything in this price range offer any worthwhile upgrades to my current monitor?

 

[ir_cow]

I have the same monitor. Bought it for $600 in late 2017. Works great. Been personally waiting for either 1440P 380Hz G-Sync or 4K 240HZ G-Sync and they are coming out this year. Now to wait for it to drop to $800 instead of the $1300 asking price

 

[RJARRRPCGP]

The ASRock PG27Q15R2A, works surprisingly well! But, it's curved, so it's out.

 

[Dr. Dro]

Honestly if your monitor is not acting up, stick with it. It's a true G-SYNC monitor with a module... and IPS monitors only got a little faster, not prettier. The true upgrade for you is an OLED, friend.

 

[ir_cow]

Honestly if your monitor is not acting up, stick with it. It's a true G-SYNC monitor with a module... and IPS monitors only got a little faster, not prettier. The true upgrade for you is an OLED, friend.

I agree and it's only flaw is the DP Requirement for the G-Sync Module to work.

Colors are good and 144hz is smooth enough. Only real upgrade is OLED and 380Hz.

 

[Dr. Dro]

I agree and it's only flaw is the DP Requirement for the G-Sync Module to work.

Colors are good and 144hz is smooth enough. Only real upgrade is OLED and 380Hz.

My brother has a XB271HU too, I'd say that it's probably about as good as a desktop IPS monitor in the "traditional sense" gets. It's still far from the cheapest around to this day, though... guess it's earned its reputation over the years though. I wish Acer released an OLED version of that monitor, same look and chassis, just OLED panel instead. That'd be amazing.

 

[JIWIL]

Been looking to upgrade mine for a couple years now, but everything short of an OLED or a nice miniLED seems more of a side-grade. I don't game/video enough to go OLED route; and the miniLEDs are still sketch in terms of motion/FALD witchcraft. Moving on to a ~32", my eyes are getting a bit old. Preferably QHD but it seems like that segment is dead in the water.

Also heard good things about the AOC Q27G3XMN. A 32" version of that, under 750$ would be a no-brainer for me.

The BenQ MOBIUZ EX321UX is the last great hope for me in the short term, I haven't heard of any more monitors based on that panel.. apart from one that's already been released, and is ehhh.

 

[Dr. Dro]

Been looking to upgrade mine for a couple years now, but everything short of an OLED or a nice miniLED seems more of a side-grade. I don't game/video enough to go OLED route; and the miniLEDs are still sketch in terms of motion/FALD witchcraft. Moving on to a ~32", my eyes are getting a bit old. Preferably QHD but it seems like that segment is dead in the water.

Also heard good things about the AOC Q27G3XMN. A 32" version of that, under 750$ would be a no-brainer for me.

The BenQ MOBIUZ EX321UX is the last great hope for me in the short term, I haven't heard of any more monitors based on that panel.. apart from one that's already been released, and is ehhh.

That's because they are, unless you desperately want a 280-360Hz refresh rate, and even that will come at the expense of having the native G-SYNC module, which should offer a better VRR range and latency with no ghosting/flicker compared to a "compatible" monitor that only has VESA adaptive-sync support. Not saying that "Compatible" monitors do in general - but the G-SYNC hardware is better.

In my opinion, the XB271HU is still a very valid and current gaming monitor, and I'd go as far as considering it to still be in the upper tier, even if not at the very top anymore. Unless yours is showing its age and displays a lot of backlight bleed or has begun to yellow (I've seen old IPS monitors do this), I say keep it until OLED/miniLED are cheaper or you have a windfall and manage to purchase something superior, like a 42/48 inch LG C-series OLED or maybe one of their new OLED UltraGears.

IPS gaming monitors are no upgrade to XB271HU owners.

 

[Chomiq]

As multiple said before, no point in upgrading to another 27" QHD IPS screen. First, you're going in blind so it's a lottery when it comes to panel uniformity, backlight bleed etc. Secondly, your old display as a G-Sync module that allows variable overdrive settings (still, modern displays are sometimes tuned so that a single overdrive mode provides best motion performance across entire refresh range). 120 Hz is still fine and should feel smooth enough, plus it leaves your GPU some breathing room for more demanding games.

 

[Sunny and 75]

120 Hz is still fine

I'd say more than fine.

I've read good things about the AOC Q27G3XMN VA which is $250 on sale. This supports HDR as well, which would probably make it a worthwhile upgrade for the few games that support it. This is not listed on Nvidia's G Sync support page, but RTings seems to imply it does support it.

Keep in mind, the viewing angle issue (gamma shift) will become much worse on a flat VA panel. It's not as noticeable with curved ones though, much less in fact.